Fraire was driving a Chrysler minivan in the 2900-block of Steele Canyon Road when, for unknown reasons, he crossed the double yellow lines into the path of an oncoming Ford F-450. The vehicles collided head-on and Fraire was killed in the impact.

On Wednesday night, Fraire’s parents lit the first candle at his vigil.

"He really impacted my life and I’ll never forget him for that," said a classmate who spoke during the tribute. "He helped me through a lot of stuff.”

"He was one of those people you don’t come across often," said friend Tamia Rachal at the vigil. "Someone that if he was in a crowd of a million people, would stand out. He was so smart and knew everything about science and other subjects."

Students Grieve Death of Classmate

Extra grief counselors were on hand Thursday at Steele Canyon High School. Junior Julian Fraire died in a head-on collision on his way to school. NBC 7’s Matt Rascon reports. (Published Thursday, Mar 20, 2014)

Vigil attendee Leslie Cloud witnessed the wreck that took Fraire’s life – which happened only about two miles away from the school.

CHP Officer Kevin Pearlstein told NBC 7 that investigators checked the teen’s phone and determined there was no indication that he was texting or talking on the phone at the time of the fatal crash.

Additionally, speed, drugs or alcohol on the part of both drivers also weren’t factors in the accident.
Officials said Fraire was new to driving. The teen had just gotten his driver’s license last September.

The Parent Teacher Organization at Steele Canyon High School has established a memorial fund to help support the Fraire family. Donations can be made out to “Mission Federal Credit Union – The Julian Fraire Memorial Fund,” and can be dropped off at either Steele Canyon High School or any Mission Federal Credit Union branch.